After a prolonged absence from the tennis circuit due to a debilitating hip injury, the legendary Rafael Nadal is set to make a triumphant comeback at the 2024 Australian Open. This exciting revelation comes from tournament director Craig Tiley, who recently confirmed the news.
Nadal, a 22-time grand slam champion, last participated in the sport at the 2023 Australian Open, where his campaign was cut short due to the hip injury that plagued him during a match against Mackenzie McDonald. This unfortunate incident led to his early exit from the tournament in straight sets.
Initially expected to make a swift return to the sport later in the year, Nadal surprised fans when he announced on social media that he would be withdrawing from major events like the Madrid and Rome Masters, as well as the prestigious Roland Garros, a competition he has won a record 14 times.
The 37-year-old underwent hip surgery in June, subsequently ruling him out for the remainder of the 2023 calendar. However, the tennis world will once again be treated to the prowess of the champion as he gears up for the 2024 Australian Open.
In an exclusive announcement on Australia’s ‘The Today Show,’ Craig Tiley expressed his excitement, stating, “Rafa will be back. He’s been off for most of the year, and in talking to him over the last few days, he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about, the champion of 2022. That’s awesome.”
Nadal’s return to the tournament, where he has emerged victorious twice before, signifies the potential commencement of his final year in professional tennis. In a press conference held in May, he hinted at the likelihood of 2024 being his last year on the tour. He expressed his motivation to get back to full fitness for the competitions that hold the most significance to him, aiming to savor his final moments on the court.
Currently, Nadal occupies the 240th spot in the rankings, having plummeted significantly due to his prolonged absence. Notably, he had maintained a top-ten ranking for an impressive 912 weeks before dropping out in March this year.
Rafael Nadal’s return is not the only eagerly anticipated comeback. Craig Tiley also revealed that former Australian Open champions Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki, and Angelique Kerber will grace the tournament in January.
Both Osaka and Kerber had taken a break from the sport in 2023 after giving birth, while Wozniacki made a remarkable return to tennis in August, concluding her three-year retirement. In only her third tournament back, she displayed remarkable prowess, reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open before being defeated by eventual champion Coco Gauff.
Furthermore, Tiley, who also serves as the CEO of Tennis Australia, expressed his optimism about seeing Australian favorite Nick Kyrgios back in action at the 2024 Australian Open.
The 2024 Australian Open promises to be an extraordinary event, with a star-studded lineup and the unique feature of opening on a Sunday for the first time in the tournament’s history. Scheduled to run from January 14 to 28, it is bound to be a thrilling start to the tennis calendar year. Fans around the world eagerly await the return of Nadal and the captivating competition that awaits in Melbourne.
